Horse Racing: SkyBet Dash Preview & 16/1 Betting Tip

Posted on July 24, 2015 by David.

The Sky Bet Dash, run over 6f at York, is always hugely competitive, however it appears that runners drawn high have a distinct advantage (3.30pm Saturday on CH4).

Gran Canaria Queen (16/1) has the plum draw in stall 20 and looked better than ever when making all to win a 0-90 fillies’ handicap over 6f at Pontefract last month. However, she steps back up into 0-105 company off a 9lb higher mark and, while it may be unwise to write her off altogether, that might be enough to prevent her winning again.

Shore Step (16/1), trained by Mick Channon (pictured), has run creditably in defeat on both starts this season, most recently when seventh of 15, beaten 2¼ lengths behind Bushcraft over 6f at Newmarket four weeks ago.

The Footstepsinthesand gelding is 1lb lower in the weights and therefore closely handicapped with See The Sun (16/1) and Tanzeel (8/1), who finished second and fourth, respectively but Shore Step is better drawn than either of those rivals in stall 19. He remains 3lb higher in the weights than when winning a 0-90 contest at Doncaster last September, but he should be fit and ready to do himself justice and is definitely one to consider.

Kimberella (10/1) could only finish ninth, beaten 3¾ lengths, in the aforementioned race at Newmarket, but won a 0-95 contest over the minimum trip on the Knavesmire earlier this month.

David Nicholls’ five-year-old is 4lb higher in the weights in a better race, but the fifth in the York race, Poyle Vinnie, has since hacked up in the Scottish Stewards’ Cup at Hamilton, so he’s another who shouldn’t be underestimated. He is closely handicapped with Adam’s Ale and Bogart, so probably requires a career-best effort, but that’s by no means out of the question.

Willbeme (14/1) remains 17lb higher in the weights than when convincingly winning a 0-100 fillies’ handicap over course and distance last June, but her form over 5f this season suggests she is not impossibly handicapped. In fact, the Kyllachy mare is 1lb better off for half a length with Pipers Note on their running in a conditions stakes race, over 5f at Beverley last month and is equally effective over an extra furlong.

Of those drawn low, Grandad’s World (14/1) has run twice without distinction at Newmarket in recent months but, between those efforts, finished a creditable second, beaten 1½ lengths, behind the unbeaten Twilight Son over course and distance last month. He remains 4lb higher in the weights, but looks one to keep on the right side.

SkyBet Dash Betting Tips Verdict

A 20-runner sprint handicap is clearly not a race in which to become heavily involved, but Shore Step went into our notebook when not beaten far at Newcastle last time and should be suited by the return to a less demanding track. He is ideally drawn in 19 and also has the services of in-form Silvestre De Sousa, who has a 19% strike rate for Mick Channon’s yard.

So our betting tips advice is to back SHORE STEP each-way at best odds of 16/1 with the sponsors SkyBet, also the only bookmaker currently paying on the first five places.